bear to watch

USAGE SUMMARY

"bear to watch" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It means to endure or tolerate watching something, usually something unpleasant or difficult. Example: I can't bear to watch horror movies because they give me nightmares.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

ThatÆs assuming he can bear to watch.

The New Yorker

Lutz could not bear to watch.

The New York Times - Sports

She couldn't bear to watch it.

The New Yorker

Again, he couldn't bear to watch.

The New York Times - Sports

Could anybody bear to watch?

The New York Times - Sports

I couldn't bear to watch.

The New York Times - Food

"I can't bear to watch," he said.

The New York Times

I couldn't bear to watch the news.

The New York Times

You can hardly bear to watch.

The Guardian - Books

She cannot bear to watch for long.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He added that he can't bear to watch "Let It Be".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bear to watch" when you want to express that something is so unpleasant or disturbing that you can barely tolerate watching it. For example, "I can't bear to watch the news anymore; it's too depressing."

Common error

Avoid using "bear to watch" for situations where you simply dislike something mildly. This phrase conveys a sense of significant distress or discomfort, not just a preference. For example, using "bear to watch" for a genre of movie you are not very passionate for might be an overstatement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bear to watch" functions as a verb phrase expressing the inability or unwillingness to tolerate watching something due to its unpleasant or distressing nature. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Sports

21%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bear to watch" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a strong sense of aversion or intolerance towards something being watched. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and can be used in written English, meaning to endure or tolerate watching something, usually something unpleasant or difficult. It is frequently found in news and media sources, as well as in sports contexts. When a similar meaning, but a different tone is desired, alternatives such as "cannot stand to watch" or "unable to tolerate watching" can be used. When writing with this phrase, it is important to remember that it expresses a high level of discomfort; therefore, overusing it in mild situations should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot stand to watch

Emphasizes a stronger feeling of aversion compared to "bear".

unable to tolerate watching

Highlights the inability to accept or endure the act of watching.

can't bring oneself to watch

Focuses on the psychological difficulty in watching something.

find it unbearable to watch

Directly states that the act of watching is intolerable.

simply cannot watch

Expresses a straightforward inability to watch.

cannot face watching

Highlights the difficulty of confronting the act of watching.

unable to stomach watching

Uses a visceral metaphor to express aversion.

cannot abide watching

Conveys a strong sense of dislike and intolerance.

shrink from watching

Implies a physical recoiling from the act of watching.

turn away from watching

Suggests a deliberate act of avoiding watching something.

FAQs

How can I use "bear to watch" in a sentence?

Use "bear to watch" to express that something is extremely unpleasant or difficult to watch. For example, "The movie was so violent that I couldn't "bear to watch" it."

What does "bear to watch" mean?

"Bear to watch" means to be able to tolerate or endure watching something, even though it is unpleasant or distressing. It suggests a strong feeling of aversion or discomfort.

What can I say instead of "bear to watch"?

Alternatives to "bear to watch" include "cannot stand to watch", "unable to tolerate watching", or "can't bring oneself to watch". These phrases convey a similar sense of being unable to endure the act of watching.

Is it grammatically correct to say "bear to watch"?

Yes, "bear to watch" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English. It follows standard grammatical rules and is widely accepted.